As far as the origins of dogs - has anyone else read Dog Sense yet? I'm not finished it, but the first couple of chapters are about how exactly dogs became what they are. Obviously what we know changes frequently, and the author says such, but I was fascinated reading it - it all made more sense than much of what I've read before in my mind. I'm reading it on my Nook, so I haven't really looked at the references yet, but it is clearly cited and the author is a scientist, so hopefully they are decent references.

Not the original study, more like an article on the study, but still worth reading. Has to do with how people trained aggressive dogs. The pool of participants seems kind of small (140), but I'm not sure what the average turnout is for studies involving dogs.

I am not sure the episode, I will look for it and post it here but I recently saw an excellent episode on Dog Whisperer where Cesar Millan focuses on dog dominance. He states:

One of the first things you should to create a strong bond and balanced relationship with your new dog is to be the pack leader from day one. Knowing your pack takes time, patience, and acceptance. Then formulating a plan, setting an intention, and following through is what creates even more strength in your relationship, bond, and its depth.

I am not sure the episode, I will look for it and post it here but I recently saw an excellent episode on Dog Whisperer where Cesar Millan focuses on dog dominance. He states:

One of the first things you should to create a strong bond and balanced relationship with your new dog is to be the pack leader from day one. Knowing your pack takes time, patience, and acceptance. Then formulating a plan, setting an intention, and following through is what creates even more strength in your relationship, bond, and its depth.

Check out his site for great tips. He's helped me a lot

Raymond Marco Limbrecht

Being a leader to your dog has nothing to do with dominance. Dominance is nothing but a descriptor of who is in control of resources. It should be (and is) a complete non-issue in dog-human relationships.

"We become better trainers by refusing to swallow uncritically what is tossed to us as truth,
by developing our powers of empathy and observation,
and by searching for better ways to teach and educate the dogs we love."

I apologize if this has already been posted (browsed through, didn't see it) but here is Dr Mech discussing why "dominance" and "alpha" are terms that are widely misused and generally disregarded by researchers today:

__________________I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

Buddy Girl - 2000-2013. "Blessed is he who has earned the love of an old dog."